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Chapter 539 - 234. The Old Era Has Turned a New Page! (11,000 words)_2

Chapter 539: 234. The Old Era Has Turned a New Page! (11,000 words)_2

Zhang Yang first went to take a photo with his parents, younger brother, DeRozan, Harden, the Tatum brothers, Coach Thomas, Coach Burke, Coach Johnson, and Jordan.

Having reached match point, he naturally invited his buddies from Compton; airfare and accommodation were all on him, with food provided by his parents.

His parents and younger brother flew over on boss Joe’s private plane. Joe generously booked a box for Zhang Yang’s relatives and friends, while he himself naturally had to sit courtside to cheer on the team.

Big Luo and Second Ha looked at Zhang San, who had already made his mark in the NBA... They were happy for their little brother, but also envious, and they felt both pressure and motivation!

After the time for family and friends’ photos ended, Zhang Yang’s gaze shifted to those active and retired superstars, high-ranking NBA officials, and celebrities at courtside.

In the past three games at their home court, quite a few celebrities had shown up.

But for G1 and G2, aside from the retired players from both teams, there weren’t other celebrities at the venue. In fact, only the Spurs legends were present at the court.

As for the Bobcats, does Joe count as a Bobcat legend?

In the Bobcats’ third year since establishment, Okafor currently holds the team’s all-time scoring record, but his position is hardly secure, leading Zhang Yang, who is in second place, by a slim margin. The media predicts that Zhang Yang will overtake Okafor to become the scoring king after the first month of the next season.

Once Felton finished spewing trash talk and returned, Zhang Yang took several members of the Big Brother Group to greet the active superstars and legends at courtside.

The biggest-name players who came were Kidd, the Magic Man, the Twin Towers, Carter, and others.

Kidd said to Zhang Yang, "Take down the Spurs!"

The Magic Man revealed his signature smile, "I didn’t expect someone to win a championship earlier than me. I really hope you lose, but I think that’s impossible. I want to witness history with my own eyes..."

Malone was there encouraging Okafor...

Aside from Spurs legends like David Robinson and Shawn Elliott, active superstars and retired legends from other teams were all cheering on the young Bobcats stars.

Even Carter, who was at odds with Zhang Yang, was on the Bobcats’ side at the moment, because the opponent was the Spurs...

The pre-game preparation time passed quickly, and at 9 p.m., Game 6 of the Finals began!

The Bobcats starting lineup: Felton, Zhang Yang, Gerald Wallace, Millsap, Okafor.

The Spurs starting lineup: Parker, Finley, Bowen, Oberto, Duncan.

This was Duncan and Okafor’s sixth tip-off in the Finals, and this time Duncan won. Now tied at 3-3, the Spurs had the first possession!

Duncan got the ball in the low post at the frontcourt.

After two strong performances in G3 and G4, Duncan, worn out in G5, had revived his vigor after two days’ rest and got his hook shot to go despite Millsap’s double team closing in.

At the change of possession, Zhang Yang headed to the frontcourt, focused on offense, reading the opponent’s defense, looking for a better shooting opportunity, aiming to score... What’s happening?

Zhang Yang was followed closely by Bowen as he reached the frontcourt!

Had Popovich finally made the right matchup adjustment after six games?

Zhang Yang looked towards Gerald Wallace, who, taking Finley with him, moved to the right side without demanding the first offensive play.

Looks like they would stick with the established plan. Zhang Yang glanced at Felton, who was advancing the ball, and then with Bowen on him, ran towards the right baseline.

Felton, understanding the plan, prepped for a solo play after reaching the arc; when Zhang Yang started moving, Felton took a step and surged forward, pushing past Parker into the lane!

If Bowen was guarding Zhang Yang, they’d have to focus on teamwork to create mismatch opportunities.

Zhang Yang slipped along the baseline, coming out on the left side of the three-second zone, using Millsap’s screen to move up high.

Oberto hindered Zhang Yang for a moment as he navigated around the screen. Zhang Yang reached the free-throw line, caught the pass from Felton just as Parker closed in on him.

Zhang Yang created space for a one-on-one, but Bowen had already caught up in defense— a double team was formed.

With Oberto and Parker’s interference delaying Bowen’s chase, the Spurs managed nearly perfect containment of Zhang Yang’s catch-and-shoot and one-on-one offense this time.

But Zhang Yang wasn’t fighting alone!

Felton, with a great sense of teamwork from his college champion days, didn’t just stand there after passing; he moved out to the far side, just beyond the three-point line, where lil bro sent the ball!

Felton took the three-point shot from an open position... and it was good!

Duncan frowned; the pressure on him grew even more.

Popovich had made a bold adjustment upon returning to home court, which pleased Duncan because the head coach was finally changing tactics. However, Duncan wasn’t very optimistic about it. Playing the same way for ten years wasn’t wise to suddenly change drastically in the Finals, but they had to make adjustments given the current situation. Duncan chose to support it, hoping for a miracle.

But on the very first defensive play, the opponent effortlessly broke through their adjusted defense.

And that bullish yet sly big guy on the other side continued his hot hand!

It was the Spurs’ possession again; Duncan continued to chip away.

While Popovich had made adjustments on defense, the offense remained the same, burdening the big three with the pressure.

Millsap closed in faster this time, nearly blitzing the play. Duncan didn’t pass, took a step out of the three-second zone, turned to face Millsap’s block, and hit a fadeaway jumper from a 45-degree angle!

After the change of possession, Zhang Yang kept being shadowed by Bowen, signaling to Gerald Wallace, and then spaced out to the right baseline.

Felton passed the ball to Wallace, who had moved out, then spaced out to the left corner.

Gerald Wallace took it to Finley on the drive, powerfully.

Gerald’s penetration, compared to Zhang Yang’s, was very straightforward, lacking the fancy footwork, but he had his strengths— power and explosive first step!